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29 Oct 24. South Korea approves local transmission for K2 MBT. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has cleared the integration of a local transmission for the Republic of Korea Army’s (RoKA’s) Hyundai Rotem K2 main battle tank (MBT).
In an announcement on 28 October, DAPA also approved projects to build and deploy the proposed Low-Altitude Missile Defence (LAMD) system and to upgrade the RoKA’s Lockheed Martin PAC-3 Patriot air-defence system.
DAPA said the fourth batch of K2 MBTs will feature a locally produced transmission coupled with a domestic engine, which was previously integrated into the MBT. “With the application of the domestic transmission, the powerpack of the K2 tank will be completely domestically produced,” said DAPA.
DAPA did not elaborate. However, Janes has previously reported that South Korean firm SNT Dynamics had developed a 1,500 hp transmission system – named the EST15K – for the K2. The transmission had been coupled with the K2’s 27 litre Doosan DV27K V12 engine. Previous production batches of the tank were fitted with the German Renk transmission, which has five forward and three reverse gears.
Hyundai Rotem is currently building the third batch of K2 MBTs for the RoKA. It is reported in South Korean media that fourth-batch production will start in 2028 but this is not confirmed.
DAPA also approved the LAMD project, with a value of KRW2.9trn (USD2.1bn). DAPA said the project will run from 2022 to 2033 and is aimed at “minimising damage from attacks from North Korean long-range artillery”. (Source: Janes)
29 Oct 24. Strategic cooperation: Rheinmetall and Croatian unmanned ground system manufacturer DOK-ING set to build remote-controlled UGSs together in future.
- The planned joint venture is foreseen to become the market leader in the segment of unmanned and remote-controlled combat and combat support vehicles.
- The first goal of the partnership is to jointly develop an unmanned system for mine scattering and counter-mobility operations. A corresponding system demonstrator is to be presented in 2025.
In the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anušić the Croatian UGS manufacturer DOK-ING and the Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 October 2024 to establish a joint venture. A special feature of this partnership is the entirely European origin and value creation, which should result in various unmanned ground systems (UGS).
The agreement provides for joint development and subsequent marketing of the new DOK-ING Komodo platform. Rheinmetall AG is contributing various capability modules/upgrade kits (e.g. for direct and indirect fire, mine-laying, reconnaissance sensors, logistics, etc.), as well as its international market access and industrial capacities.
The implementation of the MoU is subject to the prior approval of the relevant regulatory authorities, including the European Commission and the respective national competition authorities.
As Dr Björn Bernhard, head of the Vehicle Systems Europe division, explains: “DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent two leading European suppliers in their field, joining forces to carry out challenging projects. Together, we aim to set new standards and pave the way for the series production and application of UGSs. We are addressing the European market as well as other partner nations.”
Vjekoslav Majetić, founder and President of the supervisory board of DOK-ING: “The technological and industrial synergies between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and armoured breaching systems in Europe. We see this agreement as a fundamental contribution to creating a common future.”
Within the framework of the future cooperation, numerous combat and combat support solutions will be developed, including a joint project for an unmanned armed support vehicle (known as a Wingman) for battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles for reconnaissance and fire support is also to be developed. These shall be used in combination with already known classic Rheinmetall products, such as the KF51 Panther, the Büffel-3 armoured recovery vehicle and the Kodiak-3 armoured engineer vehicle.
28 Oct 24. GM Defense has completed production of the first vehicles in support of the Diplomatic Security Service’s Heavy-Duty armored Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) program. DSS is the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State.
GM marked the milestone event with Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith and other key stakeholders at GM Defense’s Concord, North Carolina-based Manufacturing and Customer Innovation Center.
GM Defense’s HD SUV solution, the Suburban Shield, features a new design with a unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension to support increased vehicle weight and performance requirements. The vehicle includes a high percentage of proven commercial-off-the-shelf parts from General Motors’ global supply chain, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior, and brakes, for added reliability.
“Our Suburban Shield significantly enhances the quality, performance, and safety that is essential to the Diplomatic Security Service and provides our nation’s senior diplomats and their supporting teams a vehicle that enables their important mission for diplomacy and national security,” said Steve duMont, GM Defense president.
“I had the opportunity to try out the prototype,” Smith said. “It had good acceleration, handled better in the turns and the heavy-duty anti-lock braking system was far superior to our aftermarket vehicles. You could really feel the stability and performance in the redesigned chassis. The new HD SUV represents a new cost-effective era in the design and building of these badly needed vehicles to help us carry out our mission to ensure the safe and secure conduct of foreign policy in some of our most challenging and dangerous posts.”
GM Defense uses advanced manufacturing tools and techniques to ensure the highest level of quality and to realize cost efficiencies and flexibility, while helping the production team stay on schedule.
GM Defense won the contract to support DSS’ next generation HD SUV last year. The program is intended to support DSS, in addition to more than a dozen other federal agencies. (Source: PR Newswire)
28 Oct 24. Croatia to buy Leopard tanks from Germany in swap for Ukraine. Croatia will buy up to 50 Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany in order to be able to replace Soviet-era tanks that it will in turn send to Ukraine, Croatia’s defence minister said after meeting with his German counterpart in Berlin on Monday.
By acquiring the Leopard 2 A8 tanks, Croatia could then deliver 30 battle tanks and 30 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine by the end of 2024, said Defence Minister Ivan Anusic.
In a letter of intent signed by Anusic and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, both countries also agreed to send spare parts and ammunition from Croatian stocks to Ukraine, with financial support from Germany to be used for the Leopards.
“The fact that Croatia is working with us on the joint procurement of Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks strengthens Germany as an industrial location and ensures common standards within NATO,” said Pistorius in a defence ministry statement. (Source: Reuters)
28 Oct 24. Thailand wins First Win deal from Pakistan. Thailand has signed an agreement with Pakistan to supply the Pakistan Army with 100 Chaiseri First Win 4×4 armoured vehicles.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) – signed in September in Islamabad – the state-owned Thai Defence Industry Company (TDI) will supply the vehicles to Pakistani firm Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).
The Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters said in a statement that the MOU also facilitates the “transfer of production technology” from Thailand to HIT.
The inclusion of a transfer of production technology clause in the agreement likely enables HIT to manufacture the First Win vehicles locally. It is likely that Chaiseri will produce a small initial batch of vehicles before HIT delivers the remaining units to the Pakistan Army.
An official from Chaiseri told Janes on 24 October that the company could not elaborate on the details of the deal due to an existing non-disclosure agreement between the parties.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces said, “The agreement to sell First Win wheeled armoured vehicles … demonstrates the potential benefits of Thai armoured vehicle technology in the development of the Pakistan Army.”
The First Win vehicle has been built by Chaiseri in several configurations. The specific variation of the vehicle to be procured by Pakistan has not been disclosed.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles , the standard configuration of the First Win vehicle weighs 11.5 tonnes. It has a two-tonne payload used to accommodate the dismounts, weapon system, and additional armour if required. (Source: Janes)
28 Oct 24. Morocco to manufacture Indian WhAP vehicles. On 30 September, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) from India signed a strategic agreement with Morocco’s National Defence Administration for the local production of Tata’s 8×8 Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP).
According to Indian business daily The Economic Times, this contract represents the “largest deal of Indian-made armoured vehicles to date, both within India and on the global stage.” The vehicles have undergone “extensive trials” to ensure their effectiveness in Morocco’s operational conditions.
The agreement covers a three-year period, during which Tata Advanced Systems Maroc (TASM) in Casablanca will manufacture up to 100 vehicles annually. The contract, which will generate 90 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs, has been signed for the construction of 150 vehicles for Morocco’s armed forces, according to defence sources quoted by news agency ANI. Morocco also intends to increase the indigenous content to 50% over time.
“This contract is of significant size and strategic importance for TASL as we expand our footprint as a Defence OEM on an international scale,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL.
The WhAP is a versatile, amphibious vehicle designed to navigate challenging terrains, including muddy or slushy conditions, and withstand mine blasts. Various models, including paramilitary versions, are already in service with the Indian Army.
This cooperation is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to diversify its defence partnerships and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. The kingdom has authorized the creation of two military industry zones focused on developing equipment for national defence, supported by an increased defence budget of $12.2 bn for 2024.
Morocco is aiming to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly the United States, while positioning itself as a key regional player in defence manufacturing. India, meanwhile, has been expanding its defence engagement with Africa, recognizing the continent’s strategic importance. The India-Africa Defence Dialogue and joint military exercises with African nations have positioned India as a growing defence partner in the region. Morocco’s role in this partnership could help India solidify its strategic foothold in North Africa, with opportunities for increased defence exports or joint ventures.
Beyond defence, India and Morocco maintain commercial relations. In 2022, bilateral trade reached $4.2 bn, with India’s exports primarily driven by refined petroleum, while Morocco’s exports to India consisted largely of mixed mineral or chemical fertilizers. In 2023, multiple agreements strengthened cooperation in sectors like fertilizers and agriculture, notably through partnerships between Indian companies and Morocco’s Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP). The two nations also collaborate on renewable energy projects, with Morocco’s renewable energy agency MASEN and India’s NTPC partnering on initiatives in 2022. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
24 Oct 24. Leopard 2 MBTs to be used in Lithuania’s new ‘National Division.’
The government announced it has concluded a deal for German Leopard 2 main battle tanks to bolster its collection of military armoured vehicles.
It will be the first time that Lithuania will operate MBTs. The country first expressed interest in these armoured fighting vehicles, built by the German defence group KNDS, more than a year ago. The former Minister of National Defence, Arvydas Anušauskas, announced the decision just after the Nato Summit in Vilnius in July 2023.
The current minister, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, has since revealed that “we were notified by the German side on the preliminary price of the project and we have taken the final decision to buy [the tanks].”
National Division will operate Leopard 2 MBTs
In the same breath, the minister also updated the State Defence Council on progress in developing the Land Forces’s forthcoming ‘National Division’ which was also set up in May 2023.
Last year, the State Defence Council determined that this heavy manoeuvre unit would comprise around 17,500 troops when it reaches full operating capability in 2030. However, changes are being made and the exact size of the division will be known later.
At present, the Armed Forces make up 15,000 active duty personnel including 2,400 civilians, all supported by 100,000 reservists concentrated in the national defence volunteer service.
However, this excludes Nato’s enhanced forward presence of 1,700 personnel as well as Germany’s commitment to boost its level of troops by 4,000 service people on a permanent basis as part of a bilateral arrangement last year. Furthermore, these numbers of Lithuania-based Nato troops are only set to increase in the coming years.
Crucially, the division will operate the military’s first ever tanks when they arrive in phases between 2028 and 2034 – possibly earlier depending on final negotiations – as part of the “first stage” to provision the unit. Following this, in the second stage, we can expect the government to procure “enabler equipment and weaponry.”
It was agreed among chief government and military officials that the formation of a division-sized unit is an essential requirement in repsonse to Nato’s regional plans and assessment of the threat posed by Russia.
Latest addition to Lithuania’s military armoured vehicles
Until now, Lithuania has maintained security with minimal means: GlobalData intelligence indicates that the fleet comprised 20 multi-purpose Humvee units and 551 armoured personnel carriers (procured within the last two decades).
However, the country has since received more armoured vehicles including the US-manufactured Joint Light Tactical Vehicles in a deal for 500 units. Just last week, the government also decided to increase its procurement of 8×8 Boxer Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles by 30%.
Its crowning acheivement in armoured vehicles – the Leopard 2 – is already in widespread use, particularly around Europe.
More than 6,000 have been exported to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. This will ensure a reliable ecosystem from which the National Division can derive ammunition, spares and components.
Norway lately opted for the armoured fighting vehicle in February 2023 over the South Korean K9 design which has nonetheless found refuge in the Polish Armed Forces.
Hailed as a “new industrial adventure” by the Norwegian Minister of Defence, the country agreed to expand production of its fleet domestically in June 2024. The German producer and the Norwegian subcontractor, an engineering company called RITEK, which will kick-start production in Trøndelag county in central Norway.
Given Lithuania’s proximity to Russia, with whom it shares a border stretching 185 miles, it could be useful for a similar industrial expansion to take place in the Baltic as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on and in the event that Nato is forced to play a part in a future conflict.
Even the UK, which operates the Challenger 3, is interoperable with the Leopard 2 to some extent. A new agreement between Britain and Germany will see the creation of a large calibre gun barrel factory in the UK, specifically to produce 155mm and 120mm barrels which are used for the L55A1 smoothbore gun, which new generation Leopard 2s and the new Challenger have in common. (Source: army-technology.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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